You might be surprised to know when Dr. Christine Madden was asked why she decided to go into dermatology in medical school she said, “because I hate hospitals.” She said she wanted to find a specialty that kept her out of the hospital and the flexibility to eventually raise a family. And that’s what she did.
“I love the artistry of dermatology and the ability to save lives,” says Dr. Madden, founding director of Dermatology Institute of America.
“The VA is doing a pretty good job now but that wasn’t always the case,” she says. During her training, Dr. Madden realized that many veterans were not receiving comprehensive exams or asked about their history of toxic exposure. She knew they had a higher risk of cancer, especially skin cancer and when she entered private practice, she created a free clinic for vets in her area. She was surprised at how open these men and women were and moved by the severity of their PTSD. “I can’t tell you how many times I watched vets cry. The brain is a complicated organ and takes time to heal. That’s the trauma. When they begin to open up, they begin to move forward.” It was at that time she met Captain George Nelson, USMC. The two became friends and joined forces to spear-head the construction of the Faces of War Memorial in Roswell, Georgia, which is the largest Vietnam Memorial south of Washington, D.C.
Dr. Madden’s son PJ served in Afghanistan from 2009-2011 as a Captain in the Marine Corp. He helped build a school in Helmand Province. After it was completed, he led his troops to the village, walking ahead of them for safety reasons. He lost both legs that day to an IED but his men were not injured. “That’s PJ,” said Dr. Madden. “If someone was going to be injured on his watch, he said he had to be him.” To her knowledge, all the children in the area survived and the school is still standing.
PJ was a recipient of a new house built in Denver by Homes for Our Troops, a non-profit that builds homes for severely wounded veterans across the country. Later PJ donated the home to another vet. He moved to Milwaukee where he is doing missionary work to help those less fortunate find housing, jobs and recover from drug abuse. Dr. Madden continues to raise awareness and donates 10% of the proceeds of her sales through the Dermatology Institute of America in Naples to HFOT.
Christine Madden MS MD FAAD received her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Michigan State University. She holds a Master’s Degree, Magna Cum Laude from the University of Michigan. Her primary research during her training was in cell membrane biochemistry with a focus on cell to cell communication and channel theory. Dr. Madden completed her residency in Dermatology at Emory University in Atlanta. She served as a clinical professor at Emory University and was in private practice for 35 years.
She enjoys mentoring junior associates in her field of cosmetic dermatology and non-invasive facial and body rejuvenation. She is a member of multiple professional and trade organizations in Dermatology and related fields. She is a founding member of the Atlanta Women’s Dermatological Association, a life-time member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons, and the Women’s Dermatological Association. Dr. Madden has developed and sold 12 patented skin care products used by several manufacturers of skin care lines. She continues her research, development and sale of her products through her company in Naples.
2020 has been a difficult year for all of us, but if you ask Dr. Madden, we should all be grateful to be able to wake up and live another day. “I believe we were born on the greatest planet and if we are able, we should strive to help others. Choose a charity that is close to your heart. You can make a difference.”
1130 Creekside Parkway, Naples
239.200.3742
